Wayne Allwine, best known for his voicing of Mickey Mouse, has passed away aged just 62.

The Disney favourite followed founder Walt in his tenure of giving the mouse his distinctive squeak, and was only the third person to take on the characterlasting a stupendous 32 years in the role having picked up the baton in 1977.

The sound-effects specialist suffered complications from diabetes and died in a Los Angeles hospital on Monday. He is survived by wife Russi Taylor, who voiced Minnie Mouse to his Mickey, as well as five children.

His vocal talents were most prominent in Mickey's Christmas Carol, a cartoon cameo in Who Framed Roger Rabbit and The Prince and the Pauper, as well as providing falsetto strains for Disney's theme parks, plus TV, radio and stage productions. along with this, Allwine honed his sound-effects credentials, working on Disney classics such as Splash and Three Men and a Baby.

Allwine was quoted as saying "Mickey's the real star. You know you just have to love the little guy while you have him, because he won't be yours forever."

Disney Chief Executive Officer Robert Iger noted: "Wayne dedicated his entire professional life to Disney, and over the last 32 years, gave so much joy, happiness and comfort to so many around the world by giving voice to our most beloved, iconic character, Mickey Mouse."